Fresh Picks

Did anyone have a better week than Kendrick Lamar? To cap off one of the best years for any artist, the Compton MC pulled a Beyoncé and surprise-dropped his sixth studio album, GNX. Upon release, the album immediately dominated the new cycle, with Lamar’s latest record simultaneously serving as a love letter to West Coast hip-hop, a treatise on integrity, hypocrisy and celebrity, and a victory rap for his ruthless 2024. Featuring SZA, Roddy Ricch, AzChike and more, expect GNX to shake up the Billboard charts in the coming weeks.
Outside of Kung Fu Kenny’s new drop, the Big Three continued to play their respective hands. J. Cole has continued the rollout of his Inevitable audio series alongside a streaming release for his 2009 Warm Up mixtape, while Drake used XQC’s stream to announce an Anita Max Wynn Tour set to to kick off in Australia on Feb. 9 — the same day K. Dot headline’s the 2025 Super Bowl Halfltime Show.

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The past weekend also brought along a 10-year anniversary reissue of Nicki Minaj‘s The Pinkprint, Juice WRLD‘s final posthumous album (The Party Never Dies) and new releases from Ice Cube (Man Down), Wizkid (Morayo) and Kenny Mason (Angel Eyes).

With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from VEDO’s new bedroom banger to Lila Iké and Joey Bada$$’s sultry new duet. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.

Freshest Find: PxRRY, “Hideaway”

Hailing from Hartford, Conn., rising R&B singer PxRRY is back with an eerie, atmospheric new single titled “Hideaway.” With haunting piano keys and ’90s-evoking melodic choices, PxRRY succinctly showcases his Usher influences as he sings, “You relax and you let me take control/ ‘Cause I know that you like it nice and slow,” nodding to the R&B icon’s 1998 Billboard Hot 100-topping “Nice & Slow.” PxRRY’s earnest voice is wrapped in filters that accentuate the murky synths that decorate Richbreed’s brooding production. For his first solo single since his May re-issue of this year’s FairXchange, PxRRY is laying very strong groundwork for 2025. — KYLE DENIS

Yoshi Vintage & Ab-Soul, “Short Temper”

Yoshi Vintage has come a long way from Flint, Michigan. Starring in season two of Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow, Yoshi capitalized on her competition appearance with the release of her Alpha project. An early standouts features one of her mentors, Ab-Soul, who puts one of the sharpest pens in rap to the test on the hard-hitting “Short Temper.” Don’t let the butterfly neck tattoo fool you, as Yoshi goes toe-to-toe with the lyrical savant while detailing her explosive rage. — MICHAEL SAPONARA

Lila Iké & Joey Bada$$, “Fry Plantain”

The Jamaican new-reggae queen Lila Iké offers another glimpse into her forthcoming album with the release of “Fry Plantain,” a track that surprises listeners with a rugged 90s-style feature from Joey Bada$$. Together, Iké’s gentle reggae flow and Joey’s gritty verses create a captivating blend. “Fry Plantain” is a joyful, sensual celebration of connection, love and cultural roots, with the imagery of frying plantain on a Sunday morning serving as a central motif. The lyrics intertwine food and affection, using cooking as a metaphor for love and care. Throughout the track, Lila and Joey celebrate traditional meals as a symbol of a relationship grounded in warmth and mutual appreciation. Their blend of playfulness and emotional depth adds richness to this soulful and heartfelt piece. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON

VEDO, “Take It Slow”

VEDO has a new album coming next year, and “Take It Slow” is the first taste. “Baby, what if time stood still?/ Would you be in a rush? Is this lusting or love?/ And if none of this is real/ Don’t wake me up, I wanna feel your touch forever, babe/ Can we take it slow?” he seductively croons in the chorus over AKel, Vontae Thomas & Keyman twinkling production. Obviously crafted with bedroom activities in mind, “Take It Slow” also doubles as a reminder to soak up the life’s most beautiful moments as they tend to be the most fleeting. — K.D.

Bossman Dlow, “The Biggest Pt. 2”

If you’re a person in need of a natural dose of motivation, Bossman Dlow is the guy for your headphones. The Florida rapper looks to cap off his 2024 Rookie of the Year campaign with “The Biggest Pt. 2” sequel. “I don’t give a f–k about nothing but gettin’ paid,” Dlow bluntly raps about his sole mission in life. Well if he continues to rhyme like these, he’ll have no issue stacking paper or buying more mink fur coats and icy AP watches like those he rocked in the track’s party-starting visual. — M.S.

Zefaan & Timbaland “If It Wasn’t Up to Me”

Who would have expected the legendary Timbaland to team up with rising star Zefaan? This collaboration wasn’t on my 2024 Bingo card, but it’s exactly the unexpected pairing we didn’t know we needed. The duo’s new track, “If It Wasn’t Up to Me,” is a Timbaland-produced exploration of a tumultuous relationship, oscillating between tension and reconciliation. Zefaan’s poignant lyrics tell the story of someone holding a fragile relationship together, clinging to hope despite constant challenges—a feeling many can relate to. With Timbaland’s signature beats driving the narrative, this track is as emotionally resonant as it is sonically captivating. — C.C.

SKEETE, “Don Dada”

With “Don Dada,” Skeete has provided the perfect song to keep the fetes slow-whining as winter’s coldest stretched draws nearer. A sleek blend of dancehall delivery, Afrobeats-nodding drums, and R&B-steeped falsetto, “Don Dada” is slinky, sexy ode to liquor-feuled nights of passion and lust. “Yuh too good from the front, from the back/ Bend it pon di wall, right next to the plaque/ Make her seh ‘Wooiii’/ She call me ‘Don Dada,’” he croons over PB’s slow-bruning guitar-inflected production. Colder weather doesn’t mean the party has to die, it just has to slow down for a bit. — K.D.

Amine & Cardo Got Wings, “Wingz”

Quiet as kept, Aminé has come alive to heat up in the year’s fourth quarter. Never one to boast loudly, but like real Gs, Aminé moves in silence. The Northeast Portland native teams up with Cardo and we’re going to need more collabs from the productive duo in the future. Cardo’s woozy production aided Amine’s syrupy chorus and led to more braggadocios bars from the 30-year-old. “Literally put my city on the map/ I feel like I’m Gucci without all the straps,” he brags in a shout-out to the Rose City. — M.S.

Mack Keane, “All Talk”

“ALL TALK” is one of two tracks from Mack Keane’s mixtape Y? / ALL TALK, inspired by personal journal entries, as shared in his Instagram teaser. The track showcases Keane’s continued evolution in R&B, pairing his velvety vocals with dynamic production elements. Lyrically, it delves into the complexities of relationships and self-worth, capturing an internal struggle marked by fear, indecision, and the pressure to meet others’ expectations. “Try to please everybody, probably why I been freezing up,” Keane sings, reflecting the emotional toll of external demands and the hesitation they create. The song’s interplay of gratitude and regret adds depth, making its message both introspective and universally relatable.

Between the ten-year anniversary of Tyler, The Creator‘s Camp Flog Gnaw festival and Netflix’s announcement that Beyoncé would headline the Christmas Day NFL halftime show in Houston, this was a prime week for those who love the medium of live performance.
Featuring performances from the likes of SZA and Doechii, a shade-throwing DJ set from Mustard and fiery renditions of nearly every song from his Billboard 200-topping Chromakopia LP, Tyler enjoyed a much-deserved victory lap at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday (Nov. 16). Over in Las Vegas, another Billboard chart-topping rap superstar was headlining a festival. Travis Scott played ComplexCon on Sunday night (Nov. 19), which birthed Netflix’s announcement that he would provide new music as the theme song for RAW’s new era on the streamer. Of course, Netflix then one-upped itself with the announcement of Beyoncé’s forthcoming halftime performance, which is expected to feature the live debut of tracks from her historic 11-time Grammy-nominated Cowboy Carter album.

Although live performances dominated the news cycle, new albums from FLO (Access All Areas), Cordae (The Crossroads), Maxo Kream (Personification), Young Nudy (Sli’merre 2), Kash Doll (The Last Doll) and Mary J. Blige (Gratitude) kept the worlds of hip-hop and R&B well-fed.

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With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Destin Conrad’s soul-baring “Nosebleed” to Cordae and Ye’s latest team-up. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.

Freshest Find: Destin Conrad, “Nosebleed”

Destin Conrad kicked off 2024 with his Submissive2 project, and now he’s closing out the year with a new single titled “Nosebleed.” Co-produced by Louie Lastic & Astyn Turr, “Nosebleed” finds Destin crooning of the innately conflicting feeling of being perceived amid love completely overtaking your every thought. “It happens all the timе, your world and mine collide/ And the memory of you stays on my skin/ It doesn’t fade, it gets stronger than it seems/ Creeps into my bloodstream, please, don’t look at me,” he coos over little more than dry, acoustic guitar, his voice taking on the slightly hoarse feel of a person recovering from a fit of tears. Concealing emotions is a deceptively difficult thing to do, and Destin beautifully captures the moments of bargaining when the mask begins to slip. — KYLE DENIS

070 Shake & Courtney Love, “Song to the Siren”

Who expected Courtney Love to pop up on 070 Shake’s Petrichor album? If anyone answered yes then it’s time to play the lottery. Shake and Love pay homage to Tim Buckley with a dark cover of his oft-revisited 1970 classic “Song to the Siren.” The intoxicating collab with the Hole lead vocalist came as a pleasant surprise on the LP, as listeners are left floating to space while simultaneously feeling paralyzed and sinking to the depths of the ocean. “Here I am, here I am/ Waiting to hold you,” Love sings to close out the woozy cover. — MICHAEL SAPONARA

FLO, “Soft”

AAA, British girl group FLO’s debut studio album, has been many years in the making, and tracks like “Soft” prove that sometimes taking your time really does yield stronger results. Under the soulful rule of R&B architects Camper and MNEK, “Soft” finds the trio capturing the ’90s R&B-informed sultriness they spend most of their debut chasing. Airtight, melismatic harmonies smartly contrast with raunchy lyrics like, “‘Bout to make a movie, Spike Lee/ Try me, it’s godly/ That’s why you wanna be inside me.” Titillating start-stop production, rousing string arrangements and sexy snaps and guitar all combine for one of the best R&B deep cuts of the year. — K.D.

Cordae & Ye, “No Bad News”

The Crossroads is all about Cordae pushing his pen like it’s a fan’s first time hearing him rap. When the DMV native revealed Kanye West was on a song called “No Bad News,” some thought it would just be a sample of 808s & Heartbreak deep cut “Bad News,” but that wasn’t the case as Ye helmed hook duties on the joyful track. Cordae takes the baton referencing conversations with an incarcerated childhood friend who’s remaining upbeat even with an extensive sentence. He gives a rare glimpse into his family life while gloating about his daughter being “fly” but keeping the humbleness of her tennis superstar mother Naomi Osaka. Cordae has long looked up to West and “No Bad News” checks off another bucket list item for him. — M.S.

Odeal, “Blame U”

“Gorgeous, gorgeous girl, but you ain’t happy/ Channel all them words of affirmation at night/ ‘Cause someone somewhere’s hoping you ain’t happy/ And that’s me,” proclaims Odeal at the very beginning of “Blame U,” the closer from his latest project, Lustropolis. Co-produced with Ezra Skys, “Blame U” combines understated bass, haunting layers of falsetto, subtle synths and Afrobeats-nodding percussion to soundtrack Odeal coming to terms with the helplessness and hopelessness feels in the aftermath of his relationship’s demise. More of a SAD (seasonal affective disorder) anthem than a cuffing season heater, “Blame U” relishes its coldness, making it all the more alluring. — K.D.

Mudbaby Ru, “Button” 

Come for Mudbaby Ru and stay for the Brandon Buckingham cameo. The Arkansas rapper is getting sharper with every song he drops as he continues to hone his skill set that feels like a savvy veteran who’s been at this for much longer than he’s been in the game. A warning message pre-empts the ominous clip featuring Ru with his crew brandishing weapons on the block. “I don’t give a f–k if we cousins/ Everybody in that b—h getting hit,” Mudbaby promises in menacing fashion. “Button,” he shouts like an exclamation point, to make certain bars hit harder and the formula works for Ru again within the addicting tune. The Geffen Records rapper is a definite artist to watch in ‘25. — M.S.

In the wake of Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election and the official unveiling of the 2025 Grammy nominations, hip-hop and R&B have had nary a moment of stillness over the past week.
Notably, Beyoncé leads all artists with a jaw-dropping 11 nods for Billboard 200-topping Cowboy Carter LP, including a look in best melodic rap performance for “Spaghettii” (with Shaboozey and Linda Martell). Muni Long leads the R&B field with one nomination in each of its four categories, while AverySunshine and Durand Bernarr earned their first career Grammy nods (both for best progressive R&B album). On the rap side, Kendrick Lamar predictably dominated, with seven nominations for his Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers “Not Like Us” and “Like That” (with Metro Boomin and Future). It was also a watershed year for female rappers, with several of the genre’s leading ladies landing nominations, including Doechii (three, including best new artist), GloRilla (two), Rapsody (two), Cardi B (one), Latto (one) and Young Miko (one, best música urbana album).

Grammy nominations didn’t slow down the waves of new music, which included new albums from Ab-Soul (Soul Burger), Ferg (Darold), SahBabii (Saaheem), BabyTron (Tronicles), Real Boston Richey (Richey Rich) and more.

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With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from SahBabii’s electric “Viking” to Mac Ayres’ plaintive “Blue Skies.” Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.

Freshest Find: Ferg feat. Coco Jones, “French Tips”

Darold, Ferg’s latest album, is the latest in a string of 2020s releases that find the brightest stars of mid-2010s/Blog Era hip-hop healing parts of themselves through tough introspection and general maturation. Between Coco Jones’ soulful, sultry vocals, a lift of Brandy’s classic “I Wanna Be Down” and ’90s-evoking production from Mario Winans and Tropkillaz. “When you wet, I start to tingle ’cause it’s too warm/ I ain’t put the condom on ’cause you got me stuck/ I’m pullin’ out, I ain’t ready to shoot the club off,” Ferg spits, simultaneously delivering a classic (slightly X-rated) hip-hop love song and a reminder of one of the remaining available methods to mitigate unwanted pregnancies. — KYLE DENIS

SahBabii, “Viking”

SahBabii was one of the leaders of the melodic rap movement in the mid-2010s, and he’s making another splash with his Saaheem comeback album. SahBabii’s rhymes are raunchier than ever as he raps over ethereal production that soundtracks his deep sea exploration. “Viking” has proven to be one of the early standouts from the project and even earned him a co-sign from Tyler, The Creator, who dubbed the intoxicating track to be “incredible.” He’s still doing things his way and “doesn’t give a f–k who like me.” Welcome back, SahBabii. — MICHAEL SAPONARA

Mac Ayres, “Blue Skies”

For his latest project, Mac Ayres went back to the beginning. With Cloudy, the Long Island-bred crooner compiled some of his most beloved SoundCloud cuts from the past eight years and sequenced them in a tender coming-of-age narrative. “Blue Skies,” the set’s ethereal, Chris Anderson-helmed closer, finds Mac pining for brighter days while balancing the warring energies of wanting to be understood without wanting to beg for acknowledgment. A deceptively heavy song, “Blue Skies” soars thanks in large part to Mac’s structuring of the song; his hushed delivery in the verses perfectly sets the stage for his impassioned belts of “Feels like forever got a hold on me/ Forever got a hold on me my friend” — a pair of lines that put many proper torch songs to shame. — K.D.

Jorja Smith, “Don’t Let Me Go”

A stripped-down instrumental with an acoustic guitar that could score a poignant scene in a movie is only amplified by Jorja Smith’s honeyed vocals. J-Money gets pensive about the pain of letting someone go, but her voice coddles emotional listeners to lay their heads collectively down on a soft cloud rather than a rock. “The wishing wells got all my coins/ But nothing seems to drift me back to you,” Smith sings. “Don’t Let Me Go” arrived as a two-pack featuring help from fellow British singer-songwriter Maverick Sabre, and it appears the tracks were several years in the making before receiving an official release in 2024. — M.S.

Hitkidd & Mello Buckzz, “Pardon Da Body”

Chicago emcee Mello Buckzz has been making waves for quite some time, and her latest collaboration is sure to add to that hype. “Pardon Da Body,” a boisterous link-up with Grammy-nominated producer Hitkidd for his Hitkidd for President album, finds Mello spitting standard braggadocious fare (the “body” in question refers to her figure, her SUV and her racks) over a piano-inflected dance-trap beat. With ample remix potential that can take this song anywhere for a ballroom-minded house set or a Jersey club compilation, “Pardon Da Body” harnesses the power of unbridled fun while keeping Mello front and center. — K.D.

Wolfacejoeyy & A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, “Dallas”

A Boogie Wt Da Hoodie dances into the sexy drill scene thanks to an invite from fellow New York captain Wolfacejoeyy, who is stamping his 2024 with “Dallas” and a major co-sign from the Bronx native. “Me and Boogie in a town bae, you know it’s going down,” Joey raps in his smooth yet soft-spoken flow. Young Jrue Holiday’s emotive rhymes have allowed him to continue to build off Valentino and have set up 2025 as his time to make a quantum leap to stardom. — M.S.

Ab-Soul, “9 Mile”

Ab-Soul wanted the introduction of his Soul Burger album to feel like the Belly, and he did justice by the Hype Williams classic. Soulo weaves through Soul II Soul’s “Back to Life” while opening up about his elusive yet militant approach. “Ain’t really confrontational but I crave chaos,” he admits. “9 Mile” then pivots to channeling his inner Eminem while calling back to B-Rabbit’s 8 Mile rap battles as Soulo gets candid about his suicide attempt. “I did jump off a bridge on Del Amo Boulevard/ I’m blessed but question why God would have mercy on a junkie,” he wonders. It’s a cinematic opener for the TDE rapper’s best project in a decade. — M.S.

Between the Election Day (Nov. 5) and the 2025 Grammy nominations reveal (Nov. 8), the week ahead promises to be one of the busiest in recent memory. The worlds of hip-hop and R&B are sure to be central to both of those events, but major cross-generational news has already made this week a heavy one.
According to his publicist, Quincy Jones, a 28-time Grammy-winning giant across entertainment, passed on Sunday night (Nov. 3) at his Bel Air home surrounded by his family. The producer behind Michael Jackson’s historic LP as well as iconic films such as The Wiz and The Color Purple, Jones’ contributions across music, film, television, and music journalism are immeasurable and his impact will continue to be felt for generations to come.

The news of Jones’ passing comes just days after the shocking conclusion to Young Thug‘s highly-publicized criminal trial. The Hot 100-topping rapper was sentenced to 15 years probation and no prison time after pleading guilty in the long-running case accusing him of leading a violent Atlanta street gang. The decision rocked the hip-hop world, with everyone from Sexyy Red to T.I. reacting to the news. R&B singer Mariah the Scientist, Thugger’s girlfriend, even skipped out on one of her shows on Latto’s Sugar Honey Iced Tea tour to go spend some time with her man.

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With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Jordan Hawkins’ rollicking ode to a “Love So Good” to Big Moochie Grape and Key Glock’s latest link-up. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.

Freshest Find: J.I the Prince of N.Y, “Get to Know Me”

Nearly a decade after he first appeared on The Rap Game, J.I the Prince of N.Y is still dropping heat. The Brooklyn emcee is always good for a track that seamlessly blends emotional vulnerability with New York braggadocio, and “Get to Know Me” is another winning addition to his catalog. “I know you brushing off ya pain, if you afraid to fall in love can you at least try to love me coldly/ You used to tell me bout ya day, now we dancing in the rain, do you really wanna get to know me?” he somberly sing-raps over a downcast R&B-inflected trap beat, courtesy of DopeBoyz and Buckroll Beats. “Get to Know Me” clearly positions J.I in the lane of A Boogie wit da Hoodie — and, in turn, the legacy of NY rap ballads (shoutout LL Cool J) — but his wordy hooks and stream-of-consciousness verses push him somewhere slightly different. J.I’s new track plays like a rambling apology, sometimes a pre-emptive atonement and other times he knows he’s already too late.

Nippa, “Pride”

London native Nippa has been steadily making waves on both sides of the pond with his slinky mixture of rap and R&B for some time now. “Pride,” a sultry Afrobeats-influenced ode to letting your guard down and giving into love, deserves to be his biggest hit yet. Over lovelorn guitar and a drum pattern that begs every waist in the room to start wining, he sings “Wonder if I try/ Take off my disguise/ Wonder how it feels to be you/ Feeds my ego, play and pick two.” The Louddaaa-helmed track is quite short, which perfectly positions it for endless remixes and extended version to further build out its atmospheric vibe.

Jordan Hawkins, “Love So Good”

Between Leon Thomas’ stunning Mutt LP and the ever-growing rumors of an impending rock album from Beyoncé, the union of rock and R&B has been growing notably stronger this year on the mainstream level — and North Carolina native Jordan Hawkins has something to say. “Love So Good,” a brash, raucous amalgamation of soul, rock, and gospel is a beautiful breath of fresh air. Beginning at the very apex of his falsetto, Hawkins tears through his ode to a life-changing love with an impassioned vocal performance that peppers his slight drawl with histrionic growls, effortlessly matching the rousing energy of the track’s instrumentation. Not too shabby for Hawkins’ first solo single of 2024.

Big Moochie Grape & Key Glock, “Manifest”

Big Moochie Grape is back. The Memphis rapper returned with his Eat or Get Ate 2 sequel project on Halloween. It’s a Paper Route Empire affair on “Manifest” with BMG calling on PRE honcho Key Glock for the braggadocious “Manifest.” Big Moochie manifested this life of luxury with some potent “za” in his pocket and $300,000 worth of ice around his neck. For him, it was always about the dollar signs. “All of these cap-a– rappers trying to fit in,” he raps over Bandplay’s cinematic production. “All I want is money, I don’t need friends.” Glock takes the baton and slows down the pace to balance out Big Moochie’s fervor. 

BabyTron, “Nightmare On Yo Street”

Instead of Nightmare on Elm Street, BabyTron’s bringing a nightmare right to your block. With spooky season in full swing, Babytron adds to the terror with “Nightmare On Yo Street.” The Detroit rapper has carved out his own lane with a signature flow that feels like he’s talking directly to you while punching in every haunting bar. “This a f–king gun fight/ Why you bringing a knife,” he asks from the middle of a creepy cemetery in the official visual. It’s a welcomed addition to any ghostly playlist as BabyTron heads into his Tronicles album dropping on Friday (Nov. 8). 

Ella Mai, “One of These”

An artist like Ella Mai wouldn’t typically appear in this column with hits on her resume, but “One of These” is an exception to the rule. The British singer may have found her next radio smash with the romantic tribute to her boyfriend and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum. Mustard samples Timbaland’s hollow bounce from CeeLo Green’s “I’ll Be Around” while Ella Mai implores women to get them “One of These.” “Wake up in the morning, he got flowers at my feet,” she sings. Although — there’s just not many 20-something-year-old NBA stars walking the earth who could already waltz to the Hall of Fame.

With just over a week to go until the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election and the announcement of the 2025 Grammy nominations, Q4 is living up to its reputation as the most hectic time of the year. To ease us into what’s sure to be a tumultuous next few weeks, stars across hip-hop and R&B have stepped up to keep us entertained and engaged.
Last week, music icon Beyoncé delivered a powerful speech in support of Vice President Kamala Harris‘ bid for the presidency, alongside Kelly Rowland, Tina Knowles, Willie Nelson and Willie Jones. The Oct. 25 rally in Houston activated both the Beyhive and the K-Hive, with around 30,000 people in attendance, according to the Harris campaign.

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Megan Thee Stallion, another H-Town superstar, used last weekend to launch Act II of her Megan LP, which topped R&B/Hip-Hop Albums back in June. Her new release features the breakout hit “Bigger In Texas,” whose hometown-hailing music video features HTX legends like Scarface, Paul Wall and Slim Thug. Opting for an non-traditional Monday release (Oct. 28), Tyler, the Creator dropped off Chromakopia, his seventh studio album, which features appearance from Daniel Caesar, Childish Gambino, GloRilla, Lil Wayne, Teezo Touchdown, ScHoolboy Q, and Sexyy Red.

In more somber news, hip-hop legend DJ Clark Kent — a Brooklyn giant who worked closely with hip-hop heavyweights like Jay-Z and The Notorious B.I.G. — passed away last Friday (Oct. 25) after a three-year battle with colon cancer.

With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Jordyn Simone and Joseph Solomon’s new wedding anthem to Ms Banks’s fiery comeback track. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.

Freshest Find: Melanie Fiona, “Say Yes”

For the first taste of her forthcoming EP (due next year), Grammy-winner Melanie Fiona is preaching the gospel of saying “yes.” With Thundercat on bass, SiR on backing vocals and longtime collaborator Andre Harris overseeing production, “Say Yes” finds Fiona crooning, “I lay my cards, out on the table / Showing hearts like never before / Tell me will you be ready willing and able / When I come knocking at your door.” As a veteran soul singer, Fiona expertly finds the pockets of groove in the track’s live instrumentation. Inspired by her mental health journey over the past decade and the freedom she internalized after the birth of her son in 2016, “Say Yes” is a gorgeous ode to the perseverance of the human spirit — and the beauty that comes with keeping yourself open when you most want to shut out the world.

Ms Banks, “Boss B—h”

After a two-year break, Nigerian-British MC Ms Banks is back with a fiery new single titled “Boss B—h.” “They tryna rub me out, but I don’t see a b—h fit/ Running up ya lips, but in school you was a prick/ Looking for some shit on me that could get me eclipsed/ But like an Air Force with no tick, it don’t exist,” she spits over a bass-heavy A Class beat that takes a few sonic cues from Detroit rap. Fresh off serving as the opener for the European leg of Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer tour, Ms Banks is poised for a stellar run in 2025 — and “Boss B—h” is a very promising preview.

Dc the Don & Ambré, “Knock Me Off My Feet”

Milwaukee rapper DC the Don’s latest album is finally here, and this Ambré duet is one of the best tracks. Rebirth continues his melding of hip-hop, rock and trap, with “Knock Me Off My Feet” offering an Afrobeats-inflected, romance-minded feel to his musical mosaic. “You was runnin’ ’round the city off no sleep when you met me/ Knock me off my feet when you met me/ That put me on defense/ Back against the curb, now I’m OD, OD,” he croons in the refrain, flaunting an unexpected affinity for slick pop melodies. Ambré’s ethereal tone provides a smart complement to DC’s more grounded delivery that’s filled out by a slightly raspy edge. This link-up arrived in just in time for cuffing season.

Mereba, “Counterfeit”

Buzzy R&B star Mereba has a new project due next year called The Breeze Grew a Fire, and “Counterfeit” is her first offering. Over twinkling, barely-there synths and neo-soul percussion, Mereba’s airy tone soars: “You’re the original/ You never do what they do/ You’re the original/ Don’t let ’em counterfeit you,” she sings in the chorus. For its cinematic outro, the song loses its beat and opts for acoustic guitars wrapped in a swelling string arrangement. “We’re all high, whole function flying/ Look up high, wild sky,” she repeatedly coos, each recitation broadening the expanse that the “original” can claim dominion over.

Jordyn Simone & Joseph Solomon, “I Do”

There’s been some talk about a lack of traditional love songs in modern R&B, but Jordyn Simone and Jospeh Solomon have something to say. A formidable contender for the best wedding anthem released in 2024, “I Do” finds the two vocalists redefining chemistry. “I never thought a love like this would find me/ All on my own, oh, I was just fine when/ You pulled me close, and then I couldn’t fight it/ Deep inside, I knew I couldn’t let go,” they harmonize in the pre-chorus, with Jordyn’s lovestruck timbre blending beautifully with both Joseph’s gentle falsetto and the production’s soulful strings. Love songs about the little things — with a little modulation, to boot! — will never go out of style.

Leo Waters & Kaash Paige, “Smoke + Mirrors (Remix)”

Ever the dependable R&B collaborator, Kaash Paige brings new life to Leo Waters’ “Smoke + Mirrors” with her sultry new remix. Waters dropped the original version of the song last Decemeber, and its plucky piano-inflected groove proved the perfect soundscape for Paige. “Baby, pull up on me/ I’m just tryna feel ya, hear ya/ I’ve been loving you better/ Touching you better than he ever could, ever would/ Now I see smoke and mirrors,” she haughtily promises, blurring the dual metaphors of steamy post-sex mirrors and the lightweight “smoke and mirrors” excuses we lean on to avoid giving into the things we want and fear the most.

Between Megan Thee Stallion‘s “Hiss” and Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar‘s “Like That,” hip-hop rang in 2024 with war. Now, as Halloween approaches, peace might be the new name of the game.
On Friday (Oct. 18), Young Thug wrote on X, “@Drake @1future @MetroBoomin we all bruddas. Music aint the same without us collabin.” The Billboard Hot 100-topping rapper — who has collaborated with all three of the rappers he mentioned — appeared on We Don’t Trust You, the Billboard 200-topping joint album between Future and Metro, which ignited the Lamar-Drake feud by way of “Like That.” Future did not respond to Thugger’s post, but he did share it on his own page, prompting fans to speculate about a truce that would bookmark one of the most shocking battles in modern hip-hop.

Lamar, for his part, did not acknwoledge the post — but he did sit with SZA for an interview in the latest issue of Harper’s Bazaar, in which he details what “Not Like Us” means to him. Megan, whose “Hiss” also took aim at Drizzy, announced the release of Megan: Act II, a deluxe reissue of her self-titled June LP, which topped R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Out Oct. 25, the revamped set will arrive just six days before her In Her Words documentary premieres on Prime Video on Halloween (Oct. 31).

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In legal news, Diddy was hit with yet another round of lawsuits on Sunday (Oct. 20), including one shocking allegation that he “drugged and raped a thirteen year-old girl at a house party” in the presence of unnamed celebrities (who also participated in the assault) following the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards.

With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Dajah Dorn’s ode to the ’90s to Jordan Adetunji and Lil Baby’s new link-up. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.

Freshest Find: Dajah Dorn, “90s Fine”

The current era’s obsession with the ’90s is already insufferable, but if it gives us more records like Dajah Dorn’s “90s Fine,” then, by all means, let it continue. “They love my Southern demeanor/ Doing what I want, I’m a R&B diva, okay/ I’m just having my way/ Ain’t nothing bringing me down, I’m up now,” rap-sings over a laid-back drum-heavy hip-hop soul beat reminsicent of the subtle sensuality of ’90s Mary J. Blige. As the pre-chorus comes in and morphs into the hook, Dajah sharpens her delivery into straight singing, her honeyed tone and gentle vibrato complementing Buda and Grandz & Saint Cassius’ unfussy soundscape. It’s not often that a song inspired by the ’90s doesn’t sound like paint-by-numbers creation of a track from that era, but leave it to Dajah to truly deliver.

Nija, “Unruly”

In between penning Hot 100-topping hits for Ariana Grande (“Positions) and tracks for Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning Renaissance LP (“Cozy”), New Jersey multi-hyphenate Nija still finds time to write some bangers for herself. “Unruly,” her first solo offering since 2022’s “Love Like This,” extends her stay in the moody drill-meets-R&B lane she helped cultivate with 2022’s Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You. “Rude, unruly/ They don’t come as bad as this, no/ One of one,” she proclaims over a skittering beat that nods more to sexy drill than its brasher forefather. With her lyrical embrace of raucous freedom when it comes to her love life — and life in genreal — Nija offers up a worthy female perspective to the still-raging slizzy era of New York drill.

Ari Lennox, “Smoke”

Back with her first solo singe of the year, Ari Lennox is throwing it back to Motown. Lennox has been open about both her struggle with social media and her sobriety journey, and she lets out all of her frustration on “Smoke.” “Talk shit now/ I might just slap a bitch in the face/ It could blow up/ You’re lucky I’m just lightin’ my sage,” she promises in the second verse of the doo-wop-infleceted, BongoByTheWay-helmed track. The driving force of “Smoke” is Ari’s impassioned vocal performance, her piercing timbre ringing across the track and nailing the sense of urgency that the hook is anchored by. “Save all your f—s for me/ I want all the smoke,” she proclaims — and she gives us no choice but to wholeheartedly believe her.

Lexa Gates & Zeelooperz, “Sweet.. Time”

Lexa Gates is here with her Elite Vessel debut album after spending the final 12 hours until the project’s arrival inside a glass box case in the middle of an NYC park. Brass woodwinds produce a jazzy backdrop for Gates to nestle her way through a timeless beat that could’ve arrived any of the last few decades. “Sweet.. Time” displays Gates’ full repertoire as a talented singer-rapper and she doesn’t waste a second packing a punch through listeners’ chests. “I love you so much I want to kill myself,” she pleads, before eventually handing the baton to Detroit’s Zeelooperz for a spicy assist. 

Jordan Adetunji & Lil Baby, “Options”

If something’s not broken, don’t fix it. Jordan Adetunji builds off of the massive success of his Billboard Hot 100 hit “Kehlani” with “Options,” featuring an appearance from Lil Baby. JA continues experimenting with melodies, but installs a similar bass drum pattern that became looped in fans’ heads on “Kehlani.” Partners are only as faithful as their options and Adetunji has plenty of avenues to explore, but he prefers to hone in on a certain love interest. Lil Baby makes it two for two when connecting with singers recently following his 4batz collaboration last month. 

Sofia Ly, “Needy”

Romance and an acoustic guitar have been a cathartic formula for R&B success throughout the genre’s existence. Sofia Ly returns with her second single “Needy” as the Cambodian-Canadian singer peels back the layers of a turbulent relationship while vulnerably sifting through her insecurities. “I wanted Needy to feel like having a conversation with myself,” she says about the poignant track. “It’s about battling that inner voice when you’re not sure if someone still cares, and how easy it is to second-guess everything when they start pulling away.” Essentially, love fades but the scars last forever. The 19-year-old recently inked a deal with LiveHelpLive/Pulse Records and is a name to keep an eye on going forward. 

We’re in the full swing of autumn, which means it’s “sliding down the wall” season — and that calls for a new Summer Walker album. On Friday (Oct. 11), the Billboard chart-topping crooner announced her third studio LP, Finally Over It, alongside the pre-save for its lead single, “Heart of a Woman.” The new set will follow 2019’s Over It and 2021’s Still Over It, which debuted at No. 2 and No. 1 on the Billboard 200, respectively.
GloRilla, another beloved Southern female artist, dominated music news this week with the release of Glorious, her highly anticipated debut studio album featuring collaborations with Megan Thee Stallion, Kirk Franklin, Latto, Sexyy Red, Muni Long, and more. Fellow MC J. Cole also grabbed some of the spotlight; last Wednesday (Oct. 9), he released a new track titled “Port Antonio,” in which he detailed his thought process behind stepping out of the year-defining Kendrick Lamar–Drake feud.

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In other news, Ye (formerly Kanye West) is being sued by former assistant Lauren Pisciotta, who alleges the rapper drugged and sexually assaulted her during a studio session he co-hosted with embattled mogul Diddy.

With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Cordae’s blazing new track to Elijah Blake and Sevyn Streeter’s smoldering duet. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.

Freshest Find: Elijah Blake & Sevyn Streeter, “Stuck in My Ways”

Earlier this year (Aug. 2), R&B singer-songwriter Elijah Blake dropped one of the year’s most stellar albums. Now, he’s back for a victory lap with the deluxe edition of his self-titled set. Assisted by a passionate co-lead vocal courtesy of fellow R&B heavyweight Sevyn Streeter, Blake delivers “Stuck in My Ways,” a heartwrenching duet that equally explores the throes of love and pain like only R&B can. “I miss my friend/ Stay the night/ And love me out/ Of these chains/ Got me stuck in my ways,” they croon in the final chorus, Blake’s forlorn falsetto and Streeter’s skittering rap-inflected cadence beautifully coalescing across a sweeping, string-laden soundscape cultivated by Eric Hudson.

S!MONE, “Short Notice”

Led by Grammy winner Coco Jones, the cast of Peacock’s Bel-Air has ample music crossover — and S!MONE (aka Simone Joy Jones, the actress who portrays Lisa Wilkes) is looking to continue that streak. Over neo-soul-evoking bass and swinging percussion, S!MONE sweetly sings of the cat-and-mouse game of the early stages of infatuation. “I left my T-shirt in your car/ Something in the shower/ Thought I left my heart, be there in an hour,” she croons, camping out in her sensual falsetto and occasionally decorating the lead vocal line with tasteful riffs and melisma.

Dave East feat. Jozzy, “Ain’t Get Caught”

New York rapper Dave East has been dropping heat for nearly a decade and a half, and his new Jozzy-assisted “Ain’t Get Caught” is the latest addition to his collection. Nearly four minutes of nuanced self-reflection on his younger, rowdier days, “Ain’t Get Caught” finds East effortlessly flying through a combination of flows that highlight the different pockets of the breezy, bass guitar-inflected Scott Storch production. “I was hiding evidence while they was looking for proof/ Marble floors, elegant, such a heavenly view/ I wake up and hear the birds singing/ Such a beautiful song/ Was guilty to proven innocent but knew I was wrong,” he spits, before Jozzy croons, “Feels so good that we didn’t give up/ Feels so good that we didn’t get caught,” offering a bird’s eye view to complement East’s cerebral verses.

Big Boogie feat. 42 Dugg & YTB Fatt, “Pool Party”

Everyone should want an invite to Big Boogie’s “Pool Party.” The CMG rhymer lifts the spirits of any room he steps in with his jovial personality and cheeky bars. After emerging from underwater, Boog’s raspy flow paints a picture of his ratchet pool party filled with booze, women and money raining from the sky. He then tags in his teammates 42 Dugg and YTB Fatt to complete the 100-meter rap freestyle relay race. Building on the momentum of his Gangsta Grillz Redrum Wizard mixtape from earlier this year, Boogie will deliver a second 2024 serving with his ETHER project on Oct. 18. 

Cordae, “Mad as F*ck”

The Crossroads era is here and Cordae unleashed another single with “Mad as F*ck” finding the DMV spitter taking his frustrations out over starry Smoko Ono production. He raps “Took your dream girl on a f–king date/ I still show up late like Lauryn Hill/ Then I hit her good in my penthouse/ Told her, Get out, like Jordan Peele” like the rent is due. It’s a three-minute lyrical masterclass, with Cordae making his bar exam look easier than a Steph Curry jumper. The 27-year-old hopes to leave his mark on the year’s fourth quarter, with his third studio album arriving on Nov. 15.

Wynne & Conductor Williams, “Bad Girl”

Wynne is letting her guard down and getting even more personal heading into her next body of work. The Portland native delivers a raunchy ride-or-die anthem with “Bad Girl.” Wynne really has an affinity for nailing relationship issues and relatable romance situations that millennials and Gen-Z are struggling to navigate. There are times it feels like looking in a mirror with just how accurate she is. The potent MC doesn’t flinch when coloring in the lines of Conductor’s dusty boom-bap drums as his hard-hitting beats continue to stand out among the pack. 

Big Moochie Grape, “Trollin”

It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there. Big Moochie Grape goes after his opposition, who turn to trolling and other online antics, which he’s not part of at all compared to some other 20-something artists roaming the music industry. “I don’t give a f–k how I say it, just know everything facts,” the PRE rapper declares in his husky voice. With his legal issues behind him, Big Moochie’s larger-than-life personality will shine through on his Eat or Get Ate 2 sequel project, which arrives on Halloween. 

Wolfacejoeyy feat. BEAM, “Nympho”

A viral snippet fans have been bumping for a couple of months finally received a proper release on DSPs. After Missy Elliott didn’t give Wolfacejoeyy sample clearance, he went back to the drawing board on the woozy production for the BEAM-assisted “Nympho.” The sultry yet intoxicating track feels like something out of the PartyNextDoor or Bryson Tiller playbook with Joeyy’s melodic sauce bringing the steamy composition to another level. “You my main, you never the side-piece/ I’ll make it real for you like Spike Lee,” Joeyy coos. Even after Valentino’s impressive arrival earlier this year, the Staten Island rapper isn’t letting up to close out 2024.